The 7-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the 4-9 Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. Tampa Bay will potentially be getting reinforcements back with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan as Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, Jessie Bates III and David Onyemata come to town. The all-time series between the two clubs is tied 32-32, with the Bucs owning a 7-4 advantage in the last 11 contests. Tampa Bay is currently in a tie with the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South and three of its final four games are against a divisional foe. The Bucs fell to the New Orleans Saints 24-20 on Sunday in Week 14 and the team will vie to get the bitter taste out of their mouth. Following kickoff, here are five Buccaneers to keep an eye on:

Emeka Egbuka

Through Week 14, Emeka Egbuka leads the Buccaneers in receptions with 54, receiving yards with 806 and receiving touchdowns with six. He took the NFL by storm through the first five weeks of the season, becoming the only player in NFL annals with 25-plus receptions, 400-plus receiving yards and five-plus receiving touchdowns through five career games. In the last several matchups, the savvy route runner has struggled with drops.

"I don't even think it's really confidence – he's a very confident guy," said Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard. "What we've asked him to do [as a] rookie gets taken for granted a lot – even from the coaching staff. It's not easy to do what he's done on playing all three positions. He's a guy that came in here from day one and has prepared the right way. He's played all three spots. He's won games for us. We have all the confidence in the world in him. We're going to try to get it to him early, often, with the game on the line – which he's proven he can do. No one's more upset with him than himself."

He has the position versatility to line up at all three receiver spots and attacks the leverage of coverage with pacing at the break point of routes. Egbuka settles into coverage voids and is adept at working back to the football on crossers. He has a high football IQ and will look to bounce back against the Falcons in prime-time. With both Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan activated, Egbuka will have more one-on-one opportunities.

Bucky Irving

The Falcons have the 25th ranked run defense in the league and are allowing an average of 131.0 yards on the ground to opposing teams. Bucky Irving showcased his ability in space against the Saints with a 32-yard gain and a 24-yard touchdown off a screen. He is patient in letting his blocks develop and possesses lethal lateral jump cuts. Irving thrives off counter gap runs and has a decisive downhill charge. He eludes tacklers and has added another dimension to the Bucs' ground game upon his return from injury. The Bucs had four different ball carriers produce 25 or more yards on the ground against the Saints on Sunday and Irving will strive to continue the trend on the national stage.

Yaya Diaby

Yaya Diaby leads the Bucs with 6.0 sacks and he has fortified the defensive line in 2025. Only two pass rushers – Diaby and Micah Parsons – have reached 11 pressures in a single game in 2025 according to Next Gen Stats and he accomplished the feat in Week Three. He combines a quick get-off with short-area burst. Power is the name of his game and Diaby separates at the point of attack with an effective punch. He can set up blockers on twists and will play a key role in collapsing the pocket around Kirk Cousins, forcing the Falcons' quarterback into mistakes.

Antoine Winfield Jr.

Antoine Winfield Jr. has a knack for making timely plays, including his incredible goal-line play against Atlanta in Week Seven of the 2023 season. He came flying across the field and punched the ball out of Kyle Pitts' hands. Winfield is a do-it-all phenom in Todd Bowles' defense, with the physicality to play in the box and the range to man the post at free safety. He has ballhawking twitch and takes proficient angles/pursuit to the ball. Winfield plays like his hair is on fire and is constantly around the ball. He has the most sacks by a safety in franchise history with 18.0 and whether it is another to add to his resume against Kirk Cousins, a pass breakup or a key tackle against Bijan Robinson, Winfield will be a key fixture on Thursday.

Michael Jordan

Falcons' DL David Onyemata has been battling a foot injury but still remains the anchor of their defensive line. Onyemata is like a truck barreling out of his stance and overwhelms offensive linemen, knocking them back with his power. He is a physical specimen, looking to wreak havoc and get to the quarterback. He helped shape one of the league's most stout run defenses from 2017 to 2020 in NOLA and has continued his reign of terror with the Falcons. He will likely go up against both Bucs' guards and center Graham Barton on Thursday. The Bucs added depth to their offensive line in July with Michael Jordan and he has since played a significant role. He started one game at right guard in Week Seven and has started four at left guard. Jordan started 11 games for the Patriots last season and has good recognition of timing on combos and has quick feet to mirror counters.